Overview & Reviews

For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of vehicles that offer considerable value. The automaker's trucks and SUVs have been especially popular. For decades, Ford's F-Series truck has been the best-selling vehicle in America.

The company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Ford dreamed of building a car for the masses, and that's precisely what he did, most notably with the immortal Model T of 1908-'27. The latter was bought by 16.5 million Americans during its 20-year lifespan and was affordable enough for Ford's own factory workers to purchase. Ford's early years were also distinguished by its introduction of the moving assembly line. It was the first to utilize this more cost-effective method of production, and its innovation became a mainstay of the manufacturing process.

Ford expanded into the luxury-car market with its purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1925. Over the next few years, the company broadened its focus even further by creating the Mercury division to produce mid-priced cars. By the late '30s, Ford had unveiled the stylish Lincoln Zephyr, introduced a low-priced V8 engine and built more than 25 million vehicles.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the legendary Thunderbird. Offering sleek styling and spirited performance wedded to available luxury features like power windows and a signal-seeking radio, the car was a huge hit. Another model of that decade, the Edsel, met with a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. In the wake of abysmal sales, the Edsel was discontinued just a few months into its third model year.

Ford regained its footing in the early 1960s with the introduction of the compact Falcon, a model that was warmly received by the public. By the middle of the decade the automaker had given enthusiasts something to cheer about with the launch of the sporty Mustang, a car that went on to become one of the biggest sellers of its day. Buyers adored the Mustang's low price, available powerful V8 engines and sporty styling. The Mustang even created a brand-new vehicle category: the pony car.

By the 1970s, Ford, like other domestic automakers, was starting to suffer the effects of changing consumer tastes and new government regulations. Many of its cars became shadows of their former selves. But the seeds of rebirth were planted in this decade. In 1979, the company acquired a stake in Mazda; this move would later aid Ford significantly in co-development projects. The company also emerged with a new mindset of global competitiveness.

By the mid-to-late '80s, Ford was showing new strength with its popular Escort and Taurus models while further expanding its empire with the purchase of the Aston Martin and Jaguar brands. Meanwhile, its full-size LTD sedan (later renamed the Crown Victoria) remained a staple of taxi companies and police forces throughout America.

Ford rode a wave of popularity in the 1990s, thanks in part to the huge success of its Explorer midsize SUV. The truck played a huge role in ushering in the era of the SUV. In 1999, Ford expanded its family yet again with the purchase of Volvo's car division, and, in 2000, it acquired Land Rover. For awhile, there was talk of Ford even taking General Motors' spot as the No. 1 automaker in the world.

But the new millennium initially saw a downturn for Ford. Increased competition, a continuing operating loss for Jaguar, legacy costs and a reliance on SUVs for profit took their toll. To compensate, the company sold Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo and introduced a wave of successful new products. Models like the F-150, Fusion, Fiesta, Focus, Flex and Mustang have allowed Ford to regain its health and standing as a very competitive manufacturer.

User Reviews:

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  2015 F150 3.5 ecoboost broken within three months - 2015 Ford F-150
  By ralpho74 - May 17 - 10:18 am

  I bought a new truck for reliability and to avoid break downs and service department down time. Everything is breaking in this truck. Not a good idea to buy one. Too expensive and problematic. Fuel economy is not that great. Its the same as other pick up trucks, but with more power.

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  1 &1/2 years later -2014 Limited Flex w/eco boost review - 2014 Ford Flex
  By nai571 - May 17 - 7:27 am

  I traded I my Mercedes r350 for my 2014 limited w/eco boost Ford Flex and all in all Im glad I did. While the Mercedes was solid as a tank, The ford flex styling is much more me. Its deceiving in that it looks like some slow mom/pop car but when I pull up to a red light and a luxury vehicle tries to out gun me, they are quickly left mouth open in my 365 horsepower dust. This mom/pop car is pretty fast - and I love it. I love the color too, its a unique white diamond tri coat (its somewhat sparkly in the sun) and has a black roof. Very unique, although mini-cooper and Range Rover make a similar combination. Actually looking at it from the front the flex could pass as a Range Rover.

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  Upgraded from a Yaris - 2013 Ford F-150
  By daf62757 - May 15 - 10:31 pm

  I had a Yaris and wanted something with more room and comfortable. I really wanted a new 2015 with the aluminum body but the price was going to be more than a house so a used lariat was my trade off in cost and feathers. The truck is near perfect. I wish it had come with Navigation but another trade off for price. The brakes are my main complaint. They make a humming noise when braking in a turn and while it is still under original warranty, I havent had the time to bring the truck in for a look. I would have gotten a Tundra but they dont make many 4.6L engines anymore and I didnt want a 5.7. So overall, a great truck and mine for the next 10+ years.

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  STAY AWAY from the FOCUS - 2014 Ford Focus
  By bigrob10 - May 15 - 3:47 pm

  Where do I start? I purchased a 2014 Focus, Have had it for over a year, and is falling apart. First the clutch was replaced, because it was "Jumping" and "Stalling" then 2 months later back to same problems. Now in addition to that the Tranny is over heating" light is going on as well as Brake Bulb and Tire lights are going off. Contact Ford and they say it will be 8 weeks before they can even look at my since they have so many other owners with the same problem. My Focus jumped forward in traffic out of no where and almost caused a serious accident on the freeway. Ford 100% knows about all these issues with the Focus but they do not care about anyones safety they just give the run around

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  Great car, great value - tight, quiet ride - 2015 Ford Fiesta
  By findbrian - May 15 - 11:44 am

  Sold a 2012 Civic LX to my daughter and bought one of these a few weeks ago for $15,000 (SE model, Magnetic gray). Have about 700 miles on it and the ride is tight over bumps (very solid suspension!), handles and steers great, and is a genuine fun drive. the 120hp engine is pretty peppy all things considered. Averaging 31mpg mixed driving so far, which is about what my Civic gave me. Really a fun car with great exterior styling. Threw a all-around tint job on it and Im done! So far loving this thing. Really saved a chunk off MSRP, as all I wanted was the factory Ford aluminum wheels and the SYNC system, and thats what I got. Fords 0% financing was great as well (interest-free is great).

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  owesome truck! others just cant beat it! - 2015 Ford F-150
  By pinkmelrose - May 14 - 10:16 pm

  i just got platinum on last month and ran 500iles. the style is absolutely gorgeous and people looked at it or turn around their neck easily. may be because its new model. the review said that it may a bit lighter when empty bed, but it isnt. it felt much stabled when i cornered aggresively. it is a most quietest truck ever i drove and driving comfort is just owesome. i owned 2008 chevy and am so glad to switch with this. only thing that i dont understand is why the ford wasnt inspire this f-150 distinctive looks to brand new navigator. if they apply this f-150 looks to navigator, i will buy that one.

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  Transmission is HORRIBLE - 2014 Ford Focus
  By dal214tex - May 14 - 2:51 pm

  My wife and I unfortunately bought this car (2014 Ford Focus SE Automatic) in April 2014 from Randall Reeds Prestige Ford. From the time we test drove the car it felt very jerky, but assumed it was from not being used to driving a small car. (Previously drove 2003 Chevy Suburban and 2007 Dodge Durango) The first week we drove the car it continued to feel very shaky at rest and worse at take off. I spoke with a gentleman from Ford voicing my concerns of receiving a defective car. He assured me it was the way the transmission was "made", and that there was no issue. WHAT?! Stay away from this car, seriously. It is a nightmare.

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  Ten years of owning - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By pilotbrs - May 13 - 1:21 pm

  Had more issues than I should have had my mileage is now 115,000. 4 wheel repaired twice, rear wheel bearing replaced and not an easy fix due to their design and cost $600. hinges on lift gate glass broke, lift gate plastic cover piece cracked (it covers 25% of the lift gate), controls in the steering wheel quit working, some of the interior controls no longer illuminate, in cold weather the left side of the sound system does not function, the front piece of the passenger side step rail broke off in the winter (its made of cheap plastic), the engine belt tensioner bearing went bad, the backup sensor quit working, and the 12 volt power socket broke and shorted out. Far too many issues.

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  disappointed - 2015 Ford Fusion
  By bendway - May 13 - 12:30 pm

  My wife and I looked for a new car for over a year and drove nearly every mid-sized sedan on the market, except for high-end models (and even a few of those!). Although we were not initially considering ford, in the end we felt the Fusion EcoBoost 2L Titanium had everything we both wanted and performed like my 2004 Saab 9-3 2L turbo I was trading in. Once thing I did not want to sacrifice was mileage, and the titanium was rated at 22 city/33 highway, about the same as my Saab. However, after 4000 miles I am only getting 20 City and 25 highway, MUCH less than the Saab (which got about 25 city/33 HWY). Mileage is horrendous for a 2L turbo. we are very disappointed in this vehicle.

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  A big disappointment - 2014 Ford Escape
  By patinportland - May 12 - 11:26 pm

  I bought this vehicle thinking that for the compact space I would get descent gas mileage. well I get 17 MPG in city and 26 on highway - far below what I was told back seat has little room if front seat passengers are tall. lots of rattles and road noise. Have taken it in for issues three times in first year. The console is designed poorly and not a lot of handy storage, compared to the Toyotas or Hondas I have owned this is a great disappointment in terms of quality and design